Athena Center Fall Programs Begin

The Athena Center has an awesome list of events scheduled for the fall.  We welcomed Athena scholars back to school with an Ice Cream Social on September 10 and expect a big crowd at the Start Up Boot Camp that we are co-sponsoring with the Columbia Venture Community on September  15.  The program runs from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the James Room, Barnard Hall. Register here.

Over 25 Leadership Lab workshops for Barnard students have begun from September 12 and will run through October 18.  The workshops, taught by a number of new and returning instructors who bring their expertise and enthusiasm, teach leadership skills in eight areas: Communication, Management, Negotiation, Financial Fluency, Risk-Taking and Resilience, Political and Civic Engagement, Entrepreneurship and Technology.  For more information on the Leadership Lab including how to sign up, visit our website.  The workshops -- a great way to gain practical skills – are filling up quickly so sign up now.

Athena Film Festival Submissions Due by September 17

Mark Your Calendars: the third annual Athena Film Festival, a celebration of women and leadership, is set to take place February 7-10, 2013.

The Festival has been accepting film submissions all summer, but the deadline -- September 17, 2012 – is fast approaching. We are looking for documentaries, features and shorts that:

• Reveal the diverse narratives of women leaders from all walks of life—narratives of ambition, courage, strength and resilience.
• Showcase women leaders who help us interpret the reality of the modern world—captivating stories of truth, determination, innovation and vision.
• Highlight the talents of emerging artists — capturing a new generation’s take on what truly makes exemplary women leaders.

Please keep in mind:

• All films must feature a female in a leadership position at the center of the story.
• Films may be directed BY either women or men.
• Films that are directed by women but do not focus on female leadership will not be considered.

If you are interested in submitting your film to the Athena Film Festival, please email athenafilmfestival@gmail.com for more information. Or visit athenafilmfestival.com.

Staff Changes at the Athena Center

The Athena Center has recently made a number of changes and additions to staff. Abigail Lewis is the now the Associate Director of the Athena Center and Maria Perez-Martinez has been promoted to Operations Coordinator for the Athena Film Festival.  We are also thrilled to welcome Sasha Hill as the Athena Center’s new Administrative Assistant.  Erin Vilardi, the former Vice President of the White House Project, continues to work with us directing our Leadership Development Programs.